SEATTLE – Father Patrick O’Donnell said in King County Superior Court he is sorry he molested at least 30 boys while part of the Seattle Catholic Archdiocese.
While testifying Monday in court, the 66-year-old priest offered an apology to the two men who have accused him of molesting them during his 15 years as a priest, SeattlePI.com reported Tuesday.
“I’m extremely sorry,” O’Donnell said. “And I’m terribly apologetic that I did anything to hurt you or (the other plaintiff). I just feel awful that I violated your trust.”
Attorney Timothy Kosnoff, who is representing one of the unidentified plaintiffs, alleged O’Donnell, who was ordained in 1971, has a long history of sexual misconduct allegations.
O’Donnell has been the target of numerous sexual abuse lawsuits in recent years and multiple parents had complained about his interactions with their children during his time in the priesthood, Kosnoff alleged.
SeattlePI.com said the ongoing trial in King County is also focused on whether Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen, who headed up the archdiocese between 1975 and 1991, knew about O’Donnell’s acts of molestation and failed to warn families.
United Press International
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